Table of Contents
- Complete Pre-Shipment Vehicle Inspection
- How to Prepare a Car for Shipping: Essential Steps
- Car Shipping Inspection Checklist: Condition Report
- Enclosed Car Transport for Exotic Cars: Why It Matters
- Exotic Car Shipping Insurance: Valuation and Coverage
- Exotic Car Shipping Preparation: Custom and Fragile Components
- Final Checklist Before Pickup
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 16, 2026
At Fast Towing San Diego, we’ve seen a thorough exotic car shipping checklist catch problems before they become expensive claims.
Whether you’re moving a rare Ferrari, a vintage Porsche, or a high-end sports car, these steps protect your investment.
Complete Pre-Shipment Vehicle Inspection
Document your vehicle’s exact condition before the carrier touches it.
Document Existing Damage With Timestamped Photos
Take timestamped photos of every surface: all four sides, roof, hood, trunk, undercarriage, interior, and dashboard.
Use your phone’s native camera app so timestamps embed automatically, and shoot in natural daylight rather than flash, which can obscure damage.
Photograph the fuel gauge, odometer, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
Check Tire Pressure, Battery, and Fluid Levels
Verify tire pressure matches the spec on the driver’s door jamb; incorrect pressure affects handling during loading.
Check battery voltage with a multimeter; if it’s more than three years old, consider replacing it before transit.
Top off engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid; leaks during transport can damage your car and others on the carrier.
How to Prepare a Car for Shipping: Essential Steps
Once you’ve documented condition, move to the preparation phase.
Wash and Detail the Vehicle
A clean vehicle reveals damage that dirt obscures. Wash and dry the exterior thoroughly; trapped dirt can scratch paint during transport.
Remove Personal Belongings and Loose Items
Empty the trunk, glove compartment, and door pockets completely. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal items, and loose objects can shift and damage the interior.
Remove floor mats, seat covers, and non-permanent accessories, and secure loose exterior trim or emblems.
Set Fuel Level and Disable Security Systems
Fill the tank to one-quarter full, enough for loading, unloading, and short movements without excess weight or spillage risk.
Disable aftermarket alarms before the carrier arrives; sensitive systems can trigger in transit, draining the battery.
Leave a spare key accessible to the driver in case the primary is lost or damaged.
Car Shipping Inspection Checklist: Condition Report
A written condition report paired with photos creates an ironclad record of your vehicle’s state.
Photograph All Angles and the Interior
Photograph the interior from multiple positions, steering wheel, seats, dashboard, center console, and cargo area.
Create a Written Condition Report
Write a brief description including date, mileage, fuel level, and known issues. List damage by location and severity, “small paint chip on right rear quarter panel, 2 inches from the fuel door”, since vague descriptions create disputes.
Enclosed Car Transport for Exotic Cars: Why It Matters
Enclosed car transport shields exotic cars from weather, road debris, and other hazards, but “enclosed” alone isn’t a quality signal, the trailer, loading equipment, and tie-down method matter as much as the walls.
Assess Ground Clearance and Vehicle Dimensions
Measure your car’s height, length, width, and ground clearance; a vehicle with 4 inches of clearance can’t drive onto a standard ramp without scraping the splitter.
Measure and record these four numbers before you call a carrier:
- Overall height, matters for trailer deck-to-ceiling clearance and for any low bridges or canopy structures at the pickup and delivery addresses.
- Overall length and wheelbase, determines whether the car fits between trailer axles and whether ramps are long enough to avoid breakover.
- Overall width, including mirrors folded or extended; widebody cars and aftermarket fender flares can exceed standard deck channels.
Note the approach and departure angles if you can estimate them.
For custom aero, removable wings, or extended bumpers, provide exact measurements of the widest and lowest points, and decide in advance whether a removable splitter ships installed or separately.
Do not assume a carrier’s “enclosed” trailer can load a low car. Many enclosed trailers still use fixed ramps that are too steep for supercars. Confirm the loading method in writing before booking.
Vet the Carrier and Equipment
Not all carriers are equipped for exotic cars. Use this checklist with any dispatcher or broker, and get written confirmation of the items that matter most:
- Trailer type and deck, enclosed, hard-sided trailer with a flat deck or lift gate; ask whether the trailer has a hydraulic lift gate, a tilt-deck, or fixed ramps, and request photos of the actual trailer assigned to your load.
- Tie-down method, soft tie-down straps or wheel baskets/chocks that secure the tires rather than the chassis. Chains, J-hooks, and straps over the body can damage paint, trim, and suspension components. Ask specifically: “Do you tie down by the wheels or the frame?”
- Lift gate capacity and ramp extensions, confirm the lift gate’s rated capacity exceeds your car’s curb weight with margin, and that ramp extensions are available if needed.
Get the carrier’s USDOT and MC numbers and verify them in the FMCSA’s public licensing and insurance database before you book. This is a free check that confirms the carrier is authorized and insured for interstate transport.
Confirm Loading, Custody, and Delivery Procedures
Confirm these custody details before pickup:
- Who drives the car, on and off the trailer only, or any movement at transfer yards? Ask whether the car will be driven at any point other than loading and unloading.
- Bill of lading, the carrier should complete a condition report at pickup and delivery, and you should sign and keep a copy of both. Photograph the completed bill of lading.
- Seal and access, ask whether the trailer is sealed and whether you can observe loading. Discreet pickup and limited information sharing are reasonable requests for high-value cars.
Fast Towing San Diego can connect you with vetted transport partners experienced in exotic car shipping.
Exotic Car Shipping Insurance: Valuation and Coverage
Standard auto transport policies often cap cargo liability at $25,000 to $50,000 per vehicle, far below most exotic cars. A $200,000 exotic requires additional coverage arranged before the carrier arrives.
Verify Insurance Limits and Declared Value
Ask your carrier for their cargo liability coverage amount in writing; if it’s below your vehicle’s value, request additional coverage and declare the value in writing.
Use this verification sequence:
- Get the carrier’s cargo liability limit in writing. Ask for the certificate of insurance or a written statement of the per-vehicle limit, not just a verbal assurance.
- Compare the limit to your car’s actual value. Use a recent appraisal, purchase receipt, or professional valuation, not a guess or a book value that may not reflect modifications.
- Ask about declared-value or excess coverage. Many carriers can add declared-value coverage for high-value vehicles for an additional fee. Confirm the premium, the deductible, and the maximum declared value they will accept.
- Check exclusions. Common exclusions include pre-existing damage, mechanical or electrical failure, ordinary wear, and items left in the vehicle. Ask whether damage from loading and unloading is covered and whether acts of nature are excluded.
- Review your personal auto policy. Some policies extend coverage during transport; others exclude it. Call your insurer and ask specifically whether your policy covers the car while it is in a commercial carrier’s custody, and whether you need a rider.
- Consider agreed-value collector car insurance. If your car is insured on an agreed-value or stated-value collector policy, confirm with your insurer how a transport claim would be handled and whether the carrier’s coverage is primary or secondary.
A carrier’s “fully insured” claim is not the same as coverage for your car’s value. Always confirm the per-vehicle cargo liability limit and any declared-value add-on in writing before pickup.
Provide documentation of value, recent appraisals, purchase receipts, or professional valuations, to support any claim; without it, value disputes delay settlements.
Prepare Custom Parts and Modification Documentation
Document custom parts and aftermarket upgrades separately with photos and receipts; standard insurance covers only base vehicle value unless modifications are declared upfront.
For custom paint, interior upgrades, engine modifications, or bespoke components, this is essential, a $50,000 engine upgrade is worthless to an insurer who doesn’t know it exists.
Build a modification file that includes:
- A written inventory, part name, manufacturer, install date, and cost for each modification.
- Receipts and invoices, from the shop or parts supplier.
- Photos, before and after, plus close-ups of installed parts.
Share the modification file with your carrier and insurer before pickup.
Document Condition for a Potential Claim
Your pickup photos and written condition report are the foundation of any claim. Make them claim-ready:
- Capture metadata, use a camera or phone that embeds timestamps and, if possible, location data.
- Photograph the bill of lading at pickup and delivery, including any notations the driver makes.
- Note new damage on the delivery condition report before signing, once you sign without notation, proving the damage occurred in transit becomes much harder.
If a dispute arises, the FMCSA’s consumer protection resources and your state’s insurance regulator can explain your options; for high-value cars, a transport attorney or your collector-car insurer’s claims team can advise on recovery.
Exotic Car Shipping Preparation: Custom and Fragile Components
Exotic cars often have unique features that require special handling instructions.
Secure Convertible Tops and Removable Panels
For convertibles, ensure the top is fully raised, latched, and secured. Soft tops can tear if wind catches them during transport.
For targa tops or removable roof panels, secure them to the vehicle or pack them separately with clear labeling, and tell the carrier in writing.
Verify all windows are fully closed and doors locked; partially open windows let in moisture and debris.
Document Operating Instructions for the Driver
Provide written operating instructions covering:
- How to start the engine (some exotic cars have push-button or keyless systems)
- Location of the fuel door release
- How to disable the alarm system
These instructions prevent accidental damage from unfamiliar controls, a driver who can’t find the fuel door release might damage the panel trying to figure it out.
Final Checklist Before Pickup
Use this summary to verify you’ve completed every step:
| Preparation Task | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shipment inspection completed | ☐ | Document existing damage |
| Timestamped photos taken (all angles + interior) | ☐ | Include fuel gauge, odometer, dash |
| Tire pressure verified | ☐ | Match manufacturer spec |
| Battery condition checked | ☐ | Replace if over 3 years old |
| Fluid levels topped off | ☐ | Oil, coolant, brake, power steering |
| Vehicle washed and detailed | ☐ | Clean interior and exterior |
| Personal belongings removed | ☐ | Empty trunk, glove box, door pockets |
| Loose items secured or removed | ☐ | Floor mats, trim, accessories |
| Fuel level set to quarter tank | ☐ | Avoid overfilling |
| Alarm systems disabled | ☐ | Provide deactivation instructions |
| Spare key provided | ☐ | Accessible to driver |
| Written condition report created | ☐ | Include mileage, known issues |
| Ground clearance measured | ☐ | Communicate to carrier |
| Carrier vetted and confirmed | ☐ | Enclosed transport, soft straps |
| Insurance coverage verified | ☐ | Declared value documented |
| Custom parts documented | ☐ | Photos and receipts included |
| Operating instructions provided | ☐ | Written guide for driver |
Print this checklist, mark off each item, and photograph the completed version as proof of your preparation.
A thorough exotic car shipping checklist protects your investment and prevents disputes over pre-existing damage. Fast Towing San Diego understands the care exotic vehicles require, when you’re ready to ship, we can connect you with vetted enclosed transport partners experienced with high-value vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare an exotic car for shipping?
Start with a complete pre-shipment vehicle inspection, documenting existing damage with timestamped photos from all angles. Wash and detail the vehicle, remove personal belongings, check tire pressure and fluid levels, set fuel to a quarter tank, and disable security systems. Verify that your carrier offers enclosed transport with proper equipment for your vehicle’s ground clearance and dimensions. Prepare a written condition report and confirm insurance coverage includes your car’s full declared value before pickup.
What should I remove from my car before shipping?
Remove all personal belongings, including electronics, documents, valuables, and loose items from the interior and trunk. Take out aftermarket accessories like roof racks, spoilers, or custom parts unless they are permanently affixed. Remove or secure any items in cup holders, door pockets, or the glove compartment. Empty the trunk completely. Loose items can shift during transport, potentially causing damage to your vehicle’s interior or becoming a liability during loading and unloading.
Should I choose enclosed transport for an exotic car?
Yes, enclosed car transport for exotic cars is strongly recommended. Enclosed carriers protect against weather, road debris, and visibility issues that open-air transport exposes your vehicle to. Before booking, verify the carrier’s equipment includes soft straps (not chains), adequate ground clearance for your vehicle’s suspension and spoilers, and climate control if available. Ask about the carrier’s experience with exotic vehicles and request photos of their equipment. Enclosed transport typically costs more but provides essential protection for high-value vehicles.
How much fuel should be in a car before transport?
Fill your exotic car to approximately a quarter tank (about 25% capacity) before the carrier arrives. This provides enough fuel for the driver to move the vehicle during loading and unloading without adding unnecessary weight that increases shipping costs. Avoid a full tank, which adds weight and creates safety concerns during transport. Never ship with an empty tank, as the driver needs fuel to maneuver the vehicle onto the carrier and to position it during delivery.
What documents do I need for exotic car shipping?
Prepare your vehicle title, current registration, and proof of insurance. Create a bill of lading (the carrier will provide this) that lists the vehicle’s condition, any existing damage, and your declared value for insurance purposes. Include a written condition report and timestamped photos. For high-value vehicles, document any custom parts, modifications, or aftermarket components with photos and receipts. If shipping internationally, gather your passport, export documents, and customs paperwork. Keep copies of all documentation for your records and insurance claims.